The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Coffee Break

The song of the day for Monday, October 3, 2022, is “Coffee Break.”

About This Song

“Coffee Break” was written by James Moody, who joined Dizzy Gillespie’s bebop orchestra after his service in the Air Force ended in 1946. Moody primarily played tenor saxophone, but also played soprano and alto sax as well the flute. While a member of various Gillespie groups, he had an active solo and composing career as well. He was named a Jazz Master in 1998 by the National Endowment for the Arts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Coffee Break” on September 1, 1967, with an arrangement by Torrie Zito, for the album Summer of ’42.

“Coffee Break,” as well as Summer of ’42 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Saturday, March 26, 2022, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

“Hi-Ho” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1936. It was one of the first songs the Gershwin brothers wrote when they first came to Hollywood and slated for the movie Shall We Dance featuring Fred Astaire dancing in the streets of Paris. The song was cut due to concerns over the costs of filming the sequence. The song faded from then and was only published in 1967. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Hi-Ho” in 1968 for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Hi-Ho,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Home is the Place

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 8, 2022, is “Home is the Place.”

About This Song

“Home is the Place” was written in 1960 by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim. Styne and Sondheim wrote the score for the brilliant musical Gypsy, which opened in 1959. After that collaboration, Styne expressed an interest in their continuing to work together, resulting in “Home is the Place” and “Come Over Here.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Home is the Place” in 1968 for Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Home is the Place,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Friday, December 31, 2021, is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921 (100 years ago!) by Bennett Overstreet and Billy Higgins, both African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee, and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 for the album Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful, released on Bennett’s Improv label. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

On the last day of 2021, my hope for 2022 is that there’ll be some changes made and we’ll finally start seeing our way of this awful pandemic, or a young girl was quoted on Facebook — “Pandammit.”

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Christmas Time Is Here

The song of the day for December 17, 2021, the fourth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Christmas Time Is Here.”

About This Song

“Christmas Time Is Here” was written by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson for the 1965 television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, which is still played each Christmas. This song has also been recorded by artists including Diana Krall, Anita Baker, Mel Tormé, and Mariah Carey.

The program will be aired on December 19, 2021, on PBS (check your local listings). It will also be streaming on Apple TV+.

About This Version

Tony Bennet recorded “Christmas Time Is Here” for his 2008 album with The Count Basie Big Band, A Swingin’ Christmas. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“Christmas Time Is Here,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

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